Crown Staffordshire Pagoda Fine Bone China Trinket Tray – c.1970

This is not just a trinket tray. This is history on a plate. Meet the Crown Staffordshire Pagoda — Fine Bone China, made in England, circa 1970 — inspired by ancient Chinese paintings of exotic birds, pagodas and flora from the Chia Ching Dynasty of 1796-1820. The backstamp tells you this. Crown Staffordshire wanted you to know exactly what you were getting into. Respect.

The Pagoda pattern is a glorious riot of Chinoiserie: a serene lakeside pagoda sits in the misty background as two magnificent yellow and green birds wade boldly through the foreground, utterly unbothered. Around them, fat pink and white peonies bloom alongside red anemones and trailing blue florals, all framed by lush green foliage. The entire rim is edged in gold. It’s busy in the very best, most unapologetically decorative way.

At 10.5 cm across and a solid 91 grams, it has real presence for its size. This is a piece with a story — one that stretches back to the Qing Dynasty and arrives, remarkably, at your windowsill in excellent condition.

• Crown Staffordshire, Fine Bone China, England, c.1970
• Pattern: Pagoda (Est. 1319 / 1801)
• “Inspired by the ancient Chinese paintings of exotic birds, pagodas and flora of the Ching Dynasty of Chia Ching, 1796-1820”
• Chinoiserie design: pagoda, wading birds, peonies, anemones
• Gold-edged rim
• Diameter: 10.5 cm
• Weight: 91 grams
• Condition: excellent vintage condition

WARNING: Displaying this tray may cause guests to ask where you got it, followed by a lengthy conversation about Chinoiserie, the Qing Dynasty, and whether they too should start collecting antique china. Maison de L’oro accepts no responsibility for any dinner parties derailed by porcelain history.